Namibia Pro Bono Directory

Click here to see the numbers and origins of refugees hosted by Namibia.

As UNHCR statistics generally rely on data from host countries, statistics on refugees alone can give an insufficient account of refugee numbers, as some host countries will not grant refugee status to certain groups. Including statistics for individuals in refugee-like situations is an attempt to account for unrecognised refugees and does not include internally displaced persons. Statistics for stateless refugees are included if available.

Association for the Defense of Refugee Rights (ADR)

ADR-Namibia is an organisation set up by refugees in Osire Refugee Camp, Namibia, to provide representation for and advocate on behalf of refugees who find themselves in the Camp. They work in partnership with other human rights organisations, such as the National Society of Human Rights, to provide assistance to refugees and report on abuses committed against them and their rights by the government of Namibia, UNHCR and others. For more information on the ADR see the Refugee Space Project.

Legal Assistance Centre (LAC)

The Legal Assistance Centre is a non-profit public interest law center which provides legal assistance in cases that have a social as well as individual impact. It works to educate communities about their rights. Refugees are among the groups which have benefited from the Centre's services. The Centre represented a number of refugees in court to have their rights protected.

As a frontline human rights monitoring and advocacy organisation, NSHR (soon to change name to NamRights or NR) monitors and advocates compliance with all civil, cultural, economic, environmental, political and social human rights instruments in a holistic style. NSHR employs 9 strategies to give effect to the respect, protection and realisation of those rights. With specific reference to the rights of refugees and asylum seekers, NSHR renders paralegal and legal services for refugees and asylum seekers by providing free legal advice and representations in court either directly or through other legal institutions (the latter whose costs NSHR pays for) as well as civic education on refugee and asylum seekers’ rights.

NSHR also regularly denounces via inter alia the media any violations of the rights of refugees and asylum seekers and files complaints under the various UN special procedures, such as Urgent Appeals and Allegation Letters, in cases of life-threatening and extraordinary situations, such as refoulement, summary executions, torture and enforced disappearance. In addition to the legal and advocacy services rendered to refugees and asylum seekers as well as civic education and publicity about violations, NSHR also renders humanitarian services for needy refugees and asylum seekers, such as temporary accommodation, food and medical care in cases of emergency situations.

LGBTI ORGANISATIONS IN NAMIBIA

African Men for Sexual Health and Rights (AMSHeR)

Advocating the equal rights of sexual minorities in all spheres of Namibian society. ‘Aspires to reduce the HIV incidence amongst LGBTI community, achieve a healthy LGBTI community that is resilient to homophobia and that has a sustainable future’.